Region:
World
Category:
Sports

Fifa Women's World Cup: USA make strongest claim to throne with 13-0 win over Thailand

  • Fifa Women's World Cup: USA make strongest claim to throne with 13-0 win over Thailand
    The reigning champions and No.1 side in the world got straight down to business in its opener against Thailand -- ranked 34 — with a record-breaking 13-0 win. Fifa Women's World Cup: USA make strongest claim to throne with 13-0 win over Thailand
Region:
World
Category:
Sports
Publication date:
Print article

They were the last of the major contenders to play - but a ruthless, record-breaking Women's World Cup demolition of Thailand showed why the United States are first in the world rankings.

The reigning champions' relentless 13-0 win in Reims - the city in which France used to crown its monarchs before the rise of the republic - told the world how determined they are to stay on the throne.

In contrast Japan, who have exchanged wins with the USA in the past two finals, were held to a 0-0 draw on Monday by an Argentina side ranked 37th in the world, three places below Thailand.

And the flood of goals was at odds with other title-chasing nations, who struggled to finish off their opening opponents.

World number two side Germany had a narrow 1-0 win over China in Group B, while England had to settle for a 2-1 win over improving Scotland, a nation they beat 6-0 in 2017.

Similarly, European champions the Netherlands needed a late winner to beat New Zealand in Group E, and Canada edged past a Cameroon side ranked 41 places below them.